This nobleman resembles Raja Surma Sen (r. 1781-88) as he appears in two paintings dated 1775 and 1780-85, respectively in the Cleveland Museum of Art and formerly in the Archer Collection (W.G. Archer, Indian Paintings from the Punjab Hills, London and New York, 1973, no.29 and no.37 , vol.I, p.358 and p.360, vol.II, p.270 and p.272). Archer notes that Surma Sen slightly resembles his grandfather, Shiva Jawala Sen. However, it is more likely that our painting dates to the first quarter of the 19th century as suggested by a portrait of Raja Anirudh Chand of Kangra's son Mian Pramod Chand, now in the Chandigarh Museum and dated circa 1830. Compare the portrait to another painting identified as Surma Sen, sold atBonhams New York, 18 March 2012, lot 1184.
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There are areas of water staining in the background, particularly in the grass. There is a minor crack to the pigments and small area of pigment loss on the skirt of the white jama.
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Lot 28Sale 21866
INDIA, PUNJAB HILLS, MANDI, LATE 18TH-EARLY 19TH CENTURYA PAINTING OF A NOBLEMAN, POSSIBLY RAJA SURMA SENEstimate: USD 2,000 - 3,000
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